The United States Requests Clarifications from Its Allies Regarding Their Role in Potential War Over Taiwan

SadaNews Translation - The Financial Times reported on Saturday that the Pentagon is urging Japan and Australia to clarify the roles they would play in the event of a war between the United States and China over Taiwan.

The report, citing knowledgeable sources about the discussions, according to SadaNews translation, indicated that Elbridge Colby, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy and Resources, has been pressing this issue during recent talks with defense officials from both countries.

According to the newspaper, the announced request surprised both Tokyo and Canberra, as the United States does not offer an absolute guarantee of defense for Taiwan.

The United States is the largest arms supplier to Taiwan, despite the lack of official diplomatic relations between them. Taiwan has faced increasing military pressure from China, which has included several rounds of military exercises, as Beijing seeks to assert its sovereignty over the island. Taiwan rejects China's assertion of sovereignty.

Colby served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy and Force Development during the first term of President Donald Trump. Colby is known for advocating that the U.S. military prioritize competition with China and shift its focus away from the Middle East and Europe.